Jared (The Protectors #2)(22)

Jared smacked Adam on the back of the head. “Be respectful to your sister.”

“That isn’t disrespectful, just the truth.” Rubbing the back of his head Adam’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t tell me it’s Bobby Rodgers.”

Hurt hit Tessa hard, but she did her best to hide it. Her only date since her fiancé had dumped her for her best friend was the guy who had bedded every female in the county. God she was pathetic. “I don’t answer to you Adam.” Tessa also narrowed her eyes.

“Who, the f*ck, is Bobby Rodgers?” Jared’s mood went downhill fast.

“Her boss and he’s an *.” Adam slammed his hand on the counter. “I knew he wasn’t going to just hand over those keys.”

Sid walked in at that moment. “What’s up?”

“Well if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have had to make the deal.” Tessa flipped her hand toward Sid and Jared.

“Uh, okay.” Sid had no clue what the hell was going on and it showed on his face. “Who’s riding with me?”

“Why is this guy an * Adam?” Jared didn’t take his eyes off Tessa.

“You got a while cause it’s a long list.” Adam snorted shaking his head.

“You really ain’t gonna go out with Bobby are you?” Matt frowned. “The guy is a total jerk. He went out with my sister and made her walk home because she wouldn’t….you know.” He looked away embarrassed.

“It’s just dinner for letting me use his car.” Tessa threw her hands up. “I know Bobby well, I work with him and yeah, he’s an *, but I made a deal. I’ll be fine. He doesn’t look at me that way.” She lied, knowing Adam wasn’t going to fall for it.

“Give me a break Tessa.” Adam rolled his eyes. “He looks at you that way…believe me. You’re his last conquest in the county.”

A horn beeped outside and everyone including Sid who still didn’t know what was going on looked toward the front door.

“Don’t go Tessa.” Jill whispered from behind her.

“You guys are being ridiculous.” Tessa picked up her purse heading toward the door, but stopped when Jared stepped in front of her.

“The only reason you’re going is because of this deal you made with him to get away from us?” Jared’s eyes burned into hers. “And do not lie to me.”

Tessa stared up at him feeling that yearning again. “Yes….but..”

With a nod, Jared turned heading toward the front door.

“Hey.” Tessa rushed to catch up with him. “What are you doing?”

“Telling him the deal is off.” Jared stopped when she grabbed his arm.

“You can’t do that. I’ll lose my job.” Tessa felt panicked. She couldn’t lose her job.

Jared snapped his arm away from her. “Your job is that important to you?”

Tessa glanced at the small table in the corner of the room piled with bills, unpaid bills. Jobs, she knew first hand were hard to come by. There was nowhere else she could bring in the tips she made working at the Sand Trap. If she lost her job they would lose everything and her grandfather would be put out of the nursing home. His monthly check didn’t cover everything there. “Yeah, it is.” Tessa frowned when the horn blared again. “I can’t lose my job.”

A low growl escaped his lips as his eyes darkened. “But do you really want to go?”

“No!” Tessa wanted to scream, but didn’t. There were so many things lately that she didn’t want to do, but she pulled up her big girl panties and did them anyway. She was saved from answering when loud persistent pounding rattled the door. Tessa’s eyes met Jared’s. The look on his face was enough to make her step back.

“Tessa!” Bobby shouted from outside the door. “If you think you’re backing out you better think again woman, I’m starving. I know you’re in there.” He pounded again.

“Need me to get that?” Sid growled next to them, his eyes almost as dark as Jared’s.

No one said a word. Tessa couldn’t seem to pull her eyes off of Jared’s, his intense gaze held her hostage. “No.” Tessa finally looked away heading to the door.

“It’s about time.” Bobby leaned against the frame looking her up and down. “But well worth the wait. Damn you clean up real nice. Think I’ll make that dress mandatory uniform attire.”

Tessa decided then and there she really didn’t want to go out with the slime. The way he was looking at her turned her stomach and she knew she would spend the night avoiding his advances. “Listen Bobby, I….”

Bobby sighed grabbing her shoulders, turned her around with a slap on the ass. “Deal’s a deal.” Bobby’s tone no longer held amusement. “Now come on. I’m hungry and you look good enough to eat.”

An inhuman roar sounded through the house and before Tessa could do anything she was pulled out of the way by Sid as Jared rushed past grabbing Bobby by the shirt hauling him out to the front yard.

“This is going to be so freakin awesome!” Adam rushed past with everyone tripping over one another to get outside.

Tessa started to follow, but Sid stopped her. “Let me go Sid.” Tessa struggled to get away.